The district will hire a principal, six teachers for behavior disabilities, three basic teachers and 10 instructional aides for the program. The principal is slated to be Kelly Long, a special education program coordinator from Hernando County schools.

She is to lead the school serving at-risk students whose needs cannot be met in a traditional school setting.

District and community leaders had worked to bring AMI to the county, and keep it here even amid money problems. In December, superintendent Kurt Browning considered ending the relationship after getting complaints that student safety needs weren't being met.

This program will be separate and distinct from a standalone program for students for behavioral disabilities that the district also is starting. District leaders did meet Long during interviews for jobs at that site.

With these changes as a backdrop, deputy superintendent Ray Gadd has put together a committee to look at all the alternative programs within the district. It is expected to meet over the summer.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.